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Environment
Overview

A brief description of the program, summary, presentation, funding by State, and legislation.
Guidance

Guidance documents to help implement best practices from a technical and policy perspective.

Publications

Studies, technical reports, and other documents.

Meetings & Events

Calendar of events, meeting summaries, presentations, and notes.

Useful Links

Links to State and Federal agencies, national trail organizations, and trail resources.

RTP and TE Update
Regular updates which are sent to FHWA Division contacts and State Trail Administrators are available online.

RTP Project Examples
The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) recognizes outstanding RTP projects through its Annual Achievement Awards.

FHWA - Recreational Trails Program

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The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

The RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from nonhighway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-highway light trucks.

The RTP funds are distributed to the States by legislative formula: half of the funds are distributed equally among all States, and half are distributed in proportion to the estimated amount of nonhighway recreational fuel use in each State. See the Funding Levels by State.

Each State administers its own program. Contact your State RTP Administrator for guidance on State policies and project eligibility requirements.

The Recreational Trails Program Project Database lists most RTP projects funded from 1993 through 2005. The Coalition for Recreational Trails compiled this database from information supplied by State trail administrators.

State Contacts

State RTP Administrators List
This is the best person to ask about recreational trail policies and funding in your State.

See also: Federal Agency Contacts

FHWA Contact

Christopher B. Douwes
Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
Federal Highway Administration
FHWA HEPN-50 Rm E74-474
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington DC 20590-0001
Phone: 202-366-5013
Fax: 202-366-3409

NTTP Logo National Trails Training Partnership
Agencies working together to promote trail training and resources.

National Trails System
A network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968. See map.

Bureau of Land Management National Scenic and Historic Trails website

Overview of National Historic Trails on US Fish and Wildlife Service Lands

To provide Feedback, Suggestions, or Comments for this page contact Christopher B. Douwes at christopher.douwes@dot.gov.


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